7. Material Use & Consumption

Question 1

Global drivers of consumption

Answer 1

• People buy and use products and the population is growing meaning more people will use more products.
• More people are moving into ‘middle tier’ through education etc corresponding to modernisation of everyday life, this means more people require a greater quantity of products.
• More people are getting wealthy so more people can afford products
• Increase in construction

Question 2

Three Material Problems

Answer 2

1. Energy related to material production
2. Use of constrained materials
3. Associated environmental impacts

Question 3

Six options for reducing material consumption

Answer 3

1. Reduce yield loss
2. Divert scrap
3. Re-use old scrap
4. Use less by design
5. Reduce demand
6. Longer life goods

Question 4

Enviro Impact of Material Use

Answer 4

1. Extraction; Land use, Loss of habitats, Deforestation
2. Processing; Chemical use, Pollution, Climate change
3. Manufacture; Energy use, Emissions, Waste generation
4. Disposal; Landfill, Methane